With a FEL should I fill the tires

skgolfer · May 4, 2001

If I get the loader on the B7500 should I get the tires filled and if so with what. I'm in the NE. Do I need the tires filled as I counter balance?

Thanks in advance for answering these novice questions.

RobS · May 4, 2001

Skgolfer, You'll want something for counterweight. I'm running air only in my tires and I've always got some implement on the back, mostly my rotary cutter or box scraper. Either is fine for loader ballast. My trouble lately is traction with the implement lowered (box scraper). When it's on the ground, all that weight on the rear end disappears. I'm contemplating filling my tires or adding wheel weights. I won't be finish mowing, so I'm not too concerned about the overall weight. Hope this helps /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 5, 2001

Have the tires filled up ~75% with a calcium chloride / water solution. Fill to the top of the rim, which allows for expansion, but do not exceed this level. Calcium chloride drops the freeze point level to subzero temperatures (-20 or so dependant upon solution ratio), allows for additional weighting, (about 10-11 lbs. per gal. / a few hundred additional lbs. per tire), and does not adversely affect handling except in one minor situation. Do not put anything other than air in the front wheels of 4WD tractors, or tractor hop (an ugly shuddering) can occur at field speeds. Filling 2WD front tires will not result in this problem. This should be available from any reputable tractor supplier. This infomation has been well studied by U.C.Davis and other ag research groups and has been determined to be a good alternative to using mounted weights.

GlueGuy · May 5, 2001

My rear tires are filled with plain old hydorgen hydroxide, and when I'm using the FEL, I also use the boxblade (~~ 500#'s) on the back as a counter balance.

May not be "required", but my tractor has never felt tippy when I carry a load in the FEL.

The GlueGuy

Charliebrn · May 5, 2001

Not so fast! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif You DO have another option for the fronts of a 4WD! Gel. 12 lbs per gal, you fill them completely, no freeze-up and no flats...permanently. Not too expensive and well worth it for the flats alone. And because of it's cured consistency you still have the shock absorbsion... The product is called Soft-Fill.

PaulT · May 9, 2001

Where can I find out more about soft fill? How much does it cost? Is there a Web site? Can I fill the tires myself? If not, what sort of outfit should I call to drive out and fill my tires with it?

Thanks,

PaulT